Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
See separate instructions.| (i) Name of supported organization |
(ii) EIN |
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions)) |
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document? |
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support? |
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.? |
(vii) Amount of support? |
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| Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | ||||
| Total | |||||||||
| Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2006 | (b) 2007 | (c) 2008 | (d) 2009 | (e) 2010 | (f) Total | |
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| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .... | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3.. | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
| Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2006 | (b) 2007 | (c) 2008 | (d) 2009 | (e) 2010 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets.. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support (Add lines 7 through 10). | ||||||






| Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2006 | (b) 2007 | (c) 2008 | (d) 2009 | (e) 2010 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513.. | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
| Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2006 | (b) 2007 | (c) 2008 | (d) 2009 | (e) 2010 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.) | ||||||
| 13 | Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.). | ||||||




| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.| Identifier | Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6: | SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HAS A DEDICATED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WHO GENEROUSLY GIVE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF THE HOSPITAL. IN FISCAL YEAR 2011, 821 VOLUNTEERS, AFTER COMPLETING A THOROUGH INTERVIEW AND TRAINING PROCESS, LOGGED 90,966 HOURS OF SERVICE IN ONE OF 80 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, WITH DUTIES RANGING FROM WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP, TO ENTERTAINING PATIENTS IN THE PLAYROOM, TO HELPING WITH ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS AT A RECEPTION AREA. IN ADDITION, 30 TRUSTEES SERVED ON THE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOARD DURING FISCAL YEAR 2011. IN ALL THAT THEY DO, OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE HIGHLY VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR HOSPITAL COMMUNITY. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | THE SOLE VOTING MEMBER OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A | SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, AS THE SOLE MEMBER OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, ELECTS THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (WHICH IS THE GOVERNING BODY) OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B | SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, AS THE SOLE MEMBER OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE, ALTER, AMEND OR REPEAL THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | MANAGEMENT AND INDEPENDENT TAX PROFESSIONALS PRESENT AND REVIEW THE FORM 990 WITH THE AUDIT AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE ENTIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECEIVES COPIES OF THE FORM 990 AFTER REVIEW BY THE AUDIT AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE, PRIOR TO FILING THE FORM 990 WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL REQUIRES AN ANNUAL SURVEY OF ALL BOARD MEMBERS OF SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL LEADERSHIP, STAFF MEMBERS OCCUPYING ROLES WITH A DEGREE OF AUTHORITY, AS WELL AS ALL STAFF MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL'S PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS COMMITTEE. THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, ACTING UNDER THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, REVIEWS ALL DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHES AND OVERSEES ANY NECESSARY MANAGEMENT PLANS RELATED TO THEM. ANY COVERED PERSON OR OTHER EMPLOYEE WHO ENGAGES IN A VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY OR PURSUES A TRANSACTION OR EVENT FOLLOWING DISAPPROVAL BY THE BOARD OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MAY, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AUTHORITY, BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY FROM HIS OR HER DUTIES WITH SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND/OR TERMINATED IN HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FALLS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE BOARD ENGAGES AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY EXPERT ANNUALLY TO REVIEW AND ASSESS THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM (BASE, INCENTIVE COMPENSATION, AND EMPLOYER-PAID BENEFITS) TO DETERMINE COMPETITIVENESS. THE BOARD RELIES ON THE EXPERT ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE THAT COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE AND WITHIN THE "BOUNDS OF COMPETITIVE PRACTICE" AND TO DECLARE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE SUMMARY DATA PROVIDED AND APPROVES BASE SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AND OTHER "KEY" EXECUTIVES. THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES REVIEWS AND FORMALLY APPROVES THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. | |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 1B: | TRUSTEE CYNTHIA HUFFMAN IS NOT INDEPENDENT BECAUSE OF HER FAMILY RELATIONSHIP TO RAY HEACOX, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF KING 5 TV. SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ENGAGES WITH KING 5 TV FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES. TRUSTEE DEAN ALLEN IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PART OWNER OF MCKINSTRY CO. AND IS NOT INDEPENDENT BECAUSE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ENGAGES WITH MCKINSTRY CO. ON VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. | |
| FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, COLUMN (B): | HOURS PER WEEK DEVOTED TO RELATED ORGANIZATIONS: JIM LADD - 1 LAURIE OKI - 3 JAN SINEGAL - 1 THOMAS HANSEN - 28.5 KELLY WALLACE - 15 PATRICK HAGAN - 5 DAVID FISHER - 6 SANFORD MELZER - 14 JEFFREY SCONYERS - 27 DOUGLAS PICHA - 50.5 | |
| CHANGES IN NET ASSETS OR FUND BALANCES: | FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 5: | NET UNREALIZED LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS: -25,807,114. CHANGE IN BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SCHS -672,399. RESTRICTED GRANTS AND DONATIONS 36,893,177. NET ASSETS RELEASED FROM RESTRICTION -30,135,588. TOTAL TO FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 5: -19,721,924. |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT 2011 | LETTER FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S, WE'RE ALWAYS THINKING OF THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS OUR MISSION AND OUR PASSION. OUR STAFF AND FACULTY MEMBERS REACH BEYOND OUR CAMPUS EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS, SERVICES, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TO MAKE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SAFER AND HEALTHIER WHERE THEY LIVE. OUR 2011 COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT DESCRIBES SOME OF THE WAYS CHILDREN'S RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AS WE STRIVE TO PREVENT, TREAT AND ELIMINATE PEDIATRIC DISEASE. I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE TOTAL VALUE OF OUR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY IN 2011 WAS $220,035,000 - WITH A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF GOING TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE. WITH HELP FROM FAMILIES AND LEADERS IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES, WE'RE "TAKING THE TEMPERATURE" OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO MAKE SURE OUR INVESTMENT IS MEETING THEIR MOST URGENT NEEDS. ONE OF THE TOP HEALTH CONCERNS THAT HAS SURFACED IN OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT IS OBESITY. OBESITY IS AN EPIDEMIC THAT IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY. ABOUT 11% OF HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH IN WASHINGTON STATE ARE OBESE AND 14 TO 16% ARE OVERWEIGHT. ONE IN FIVE HIGH-SCHOOL YOUTHS IN KING COUNTY IS OVERWEIGHT. ON EACH SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT WE HIGHLIGHT EXAMPLES OF HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. BUILDING A SAFE AND HEALTHY FUTURE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS A BIG JOB. WE COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. TOTAL 2011 VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY: $220,035,000 OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT INVESTMENT IN PATIENT CARE AND RESEARCH, IN EDUCATING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES REFLECTS CHILDREN'S COMMITMENT TO PREVENTING, TREATING AND ELIMINATING PEDIATRIC DISEASE. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WAYS WE BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY AT WWW.SEATTLECHILDRENS.ORG/ABOUT/COMMUNITY-BENEFIT/. UNCOMPENSATED CARE OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HONORS OUR FOUNDING PROMISE TO CARE FOR EVERY CHILD WHO NEEDS US REGARDLESS OF A FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY. IN 2011, CHILDREN'S PROVIDED $103 MILLION IN UNCOMPENSATED CARE TO CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON, ALASKA, MONTANA AND IDAHO, ENSURING ALL OF OUR REGION'S SICK AND INJURED CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO THE BEST MEDICAL CARE AVAILABLE. WHEN A CHILD IS BATTLING A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION, FAMILIES HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT WITHOUT STRESSING OVER HOW TO PAY THE HOSPITAL BILL. CHILDREN'S UNCOMPENSATED CARE PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES FOCUS ON HEALING, NOT COST, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INSURANCE COVERAGE OR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. CHILDREN'S UNCOMPENSATED CARE PROGRAM BRIDGES THE GROWING GAP BETWEEN MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS AND THE REAL COST OF TREATMENT. MEDICAID IS THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MEDICAL COVERAGE AT NO OR LOW COST TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. NEARLY HALF OF OUR PATIENTS RECEIVED COVERAGE THROUGH MEDICAID IN 2011, AND ONLY 71% OF THE COST WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE CARE PROVIDED. OUR UNCOMPENSATED CARE PROGRAM MADE UP FOR THE SHORTFALL WHICH AMOUNTED TO $92.3 MILLION IN 2011. ANOTHER $10.7 MILLION WENT TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH NO ABILITY TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILD'S CARE. FEATURE: A BOY AND HIS FAMILY FIND CARE AND COMPASSION AT CHILDREN'S A BOY'S LIFE HAS BEEN FILLED WITH DOCTORS, HOSPITAL STAYS AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. BORN IN 2009, HE WAS DIAGNOSED PRENATALLY WITH LARGE CYSTS ON HIS CHEEK AND NECK - KNOWN AS LYMPHATIC MALFORMATIONS - AND HAS REQUIRED EXTRAORDINARY CARE FOR THE MOST BASIC THINGS, LIKE EATING AND BREATHING. BY THE END OF 2009, THE MEDICAL BILLS FOR HIS CARE OVERWHELMED HIS FAMILY. THEY APPLIED TO CHILDREN'S UNCOMPENSATED CARE PROGRAM AND WERE GRANTED FINANCIAL SUPPORT. "WE HUMBLY ACCEPTED THE HELP AND FELL TO OUR KNEES IN GRATITUDE," SAYS HIS MOTHER. "IT FEELS SO SAFE AND SECURE TO KNOW A CO-PAY WILL NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF OUR SON'S CARE." NOW, THE FAMILY WANTS TO GIVE BACK. THEY'RE FORMING A GUILD TO SUPPORT RESEARCH FOR VASCULAR ANOMALIES. "WE FEEL DRIVEN TO HELP OTHER FAMILIES THE WAY WE'VE BEEN HELPED," SAYS HIS MOTHER. FOCUS ON OBESITY: FIGHTING FOR POLICIES THAT FIGHT OBESITY CHILDREN'S PLAYS A LEADING ROLE IN THE STATEWIDE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION COALITION. THE COALITION'S 43 MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES TO BUILD A HEALTHIER GENERATION. IN 2011, THE COALITION HELPED PASS LEGISLATION TO MAKE STREETS SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS, LAUNCHED A SODA FREE SUNDAYS CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE RISKS OF SUGARY DRINKS, AND HELD AN OBESITY PREVENTION SUMMIT CO-HOSTED BY CHILDREN'S AND THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. RESEARCH RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL IN FULFILLING CHILDREN'S MISSION TO PREVENT, TREAT AND ELIMINATE PEDIATRIC DISEASE. WE'RE COMMITTED TO TRANSLATING OUR RESEARCH INTO NEW AND BETTER THERAPIES SO THAT ALL OF OUR PATIENTS - AND CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD - BENEFIT FROM OUR DISCOVERIES. THE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE HAS BECOME THE LARGEST PEDIATRIC RESEARCH CENTER WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, AND ONE OF THE TOP FIVE IN THE NATION BASED ON FUNDING RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH). GRANTS FROM THE NIH INCREASED FROM $13 MILLION IN 2006 TO MORE THAN $52 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2011. TOTAL EXTRAMURAL FUNDING GREW TO $69 MILLION IN 2011. DISCOVERY CENTRAL SEATTLE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPRISES NINE INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTERS AND FOUR PROGRAMS ENCOMPASSING AREAS CENTRAL TO PEDIATRIC HEALTH: CENTERS: - BEN TOWNE CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH - CENTER FOR CHILD HEALTH, BEHAVIOR AND DEVELOPMENT - CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD INFECTIONS AND PREMATURITY RESEARCH - CENTER FOR CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH - CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS - CENTER FOR GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENT - CENTER FOR IMMUNITY AND IMMUNOTHERAPIES - CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE BRAIN RESEARCH - CENTER FOR TISSUE AND CELL SCIENCES PROGRAMS: - GLOBAL ALLIANCE TO PREVENT PREMATURITY AND STILLBIRTH - NORTHWEST GENOME ENGINEERING CONSORTIUM - SCIENCE ADVENTURE LAB - TREUMAN KATZ CENTER FOR PEDIATRIC BIOETHICS PREVENTING ILLNESSES AND INJURIES ADDRESSING TEEN SUICIDE RISK TEEN SUICIDE IS A DEADLY PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR YOUTH 10 TO 24 YEARS OLD IN OUR STATE. IDENTIFYING TEENS WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS IS CRITICAL TO PREVENTING SUICIDE, BUT A STUDY LED BY DR. CAROLYN MCCARTY SUGGESTS SUICIDAL TEENS AREN'T GETTING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THEY NEED. MCCARTY AND HER CO-INVESTIGATORS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (UW) AND GROUP HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUND THAT ONLY 13% OF TEENS AGES 13 TO 18 WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS VISITED A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THROUGH THEIR HEALTH CARE NETWORK AND ONLY 16% RECEIVED SERVICES THE YEAR AFTER. THE LOW RATES ARE A STRIKING CALL TO ACTION, SAYS MCCARTY. "THESE FINDINGS UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS TO SCREEN FOR DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS." ESTABLISHING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RISK HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES HAS INCREASED FIVE-FOLD OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. RESEARCH LED BY DR. JOSEPH FLYNN AND A TEAM FROM JOHN HOPKINS CENTER FOUND THAT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MAY LEAD TO WORSE HEART TROUBLE FOR BLACK CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13 THAN FOR OTHER CHILDREN OF THE SAME AGES. THE STUDY FOUND THEY WERE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DEVELOP A DANGEROUS THICKENING OF THE HEART MUSCLE THAT IS AN EARLY AND COMMON COMPLICATION OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. THE STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT BLACK TEENS HAVE HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE OVERALL AND THAT IT REMAINED IN THE DANGEROUS RANGE LONGER THAN OTHER TEENS. "THE STUDY EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN ALL CHILDREN, BUT PEDIATRICIANS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BLACK CHILDREN AND TEENS MAY DEVELOP MORE SEVERE COMPLICATIONS OR DEVELOP THEM MORE QUICKLY," FLYNN SAYS. IDENTIFYING THE BEST TREATMENTS HELPING FAMILIES COPE WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME CHILDREN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS (FASD) ARE BORN WITH A PAINFUL LEGACY OF LIFELONG NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES RANGING FROM LEARNING DEFICITS TO MEMORY LOSS. DR. HEATHER CARMICHAEL OLSON IS LEADING AN ONGOING RESEARCH EFFORT THAT IS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COPING WITH FASD. CARMICHAEL OLSON DEVELOPED A STRATEGY THAT CONNECTS FAMILIES WITH TRAINED SPECIALISTS. THE SPECIALISTS TEACH PARENTS HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CHILD'S NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND ADAPT THE HOME AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT TO LESSEN THE IMPACT AND IMPROVE THEIR CHILD'S DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTION. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN A PARENT ASKS A CHILD WITH FASD TO GET DRESSED, THE CHILD MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REMEMBER LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE REQUEST, SO PARENTS LEARN WAYS TO ADDRESS THE MEMORY PROBLEM SUCH AS HANGING A POSTER ON THE BEDROOM WALL AS A VISUAL CLUE. | |
| COORDINATING CARE FOR CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN MANAGING THE HEALTH OF A CHILD WITH A LIFELONG CHRONIC ILLNESS SUCH AS CYSTIC FIBROSIS OR TYPE 1 DIABETES IS COMPLEX AND REQUIRES COORDINATION WITH MANY DIFFERENT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. THESE CHILDREN OFTEN END UP IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL - IN PART BECAUSE HOSPITALS LACK A CONSISTENT METHOD TO IDENTIFY THEM AND EFFICIENTLY COORDINATE THEIR CARE ONCE THEY GO HOME. A STUDY LED BY DR. JOHN NEFF USED HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DATA FROM CHILDREN'S AND ODESSA BROWN CHILDREN'S CLINIC TO DEVELOP A UNIQUE WAY TO TRACK CHILDREN WITH LIFELONG CHRONIC CONDITIONS - THE FIRST STEP TOWARD IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND REDUCING COSTS BY DECREASING READMISSIONS. LINKING CAUSE AND EFFECT BRINGING PAIN MANAGEMENT HOME DR. TONYA PALERMO IS LEADING A NATIONWIDE TRIAL OF AN ONLINE TOOL TO HELP CHILDREN MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN AT HOME. THE WEB-BASED INTERVENTION SHE DEVELOPED TEACHES CHILDREN TO USE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES, SUCH AS PROBLEM-SOLVING AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, AND TEACHES PARENTS HOW TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN. UP TO 40% OF CHILDREN EXPERIENCE SOME DEGREE OF CHRONIC PAIN, USUALLY HEADACHES, BACKACHES OR ABDOMINAL PAIN. IN 5% TO 10% OF CASES, THE PAIN BECOMES DISABLING, CAUSING CHILDREN TO MISS SCHOOL, STOP EXERCISING AND WITHDRAW FROM FRIENDS. PALERMO'S TOOL PROVIDES AN OPTION FOR CHILDREN WHO LACK ACCESS TO PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND COULD HELP ALL CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC PAIN ADDRESS THEIR PAIN SOONER. PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: DR. DOUG DIEKEMA PHYSICIAN HELPS MAKE SENSE OF COMPLEX ETHICAL ISSUES CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX ILLNESSES AND INJURIES CREATES MANY MEDICAL CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO GENERATES MANY ETHICAL QUESTIONS. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND CHANGES IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ARE CONSTANTLY RAISING NEW ISSUES. AS A BIOETHICS CONSULTANT AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S, DR. DOUG DIEKEMA GUIDES FAMILIES, PHYSICIANS, RESEARCHERS AND INSTITUTIONS THROUGH CHALLENGING DECISIONS, SUCH AS WHAT TO DO IF FAMILIES AND DOCTORS DISAGREE ABOUT TREATMENT OR WHETHER TO TELL CHILDREN THEY'RE CARRYING A GENE THAT COULD THREATEN THEIR LIFE AS AN ADULT. "MY JOB IS TO TAKE THESE COMPLEX AND PERPLEXING ISSUES AND PRESENT THEM IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND AND ACT ON," DIEKEMA SAYS. IN 2011, THE CENTER PROVIDED 31 CLINICAL BIOETHICS CONSULTS. "THERE'S MORE TO MOST MEDICAL DECISIONS THAN THE MEDICAL FACTS," DIEKEMA SAYS. "OUR ROLE IN BIOETHICS IS TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE DIFFERENT VALUES PEOPLE BRING TO THE TABLE WHEN THEY'RE MAKING DIFFICULT CHOICES." FEATURE: WASHINGTON GLOBAL HEALTH ALLIANCE MAPPING PROJECT IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SEATTLE IS HOME TO A STELLAR NETWORK OF WORLD LEADERS IN GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH. LOCAL INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESSES AND FOUNDATIONS ARE WORKING FROM UGANDA TO THE UKRAINE TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. CHILDREN'S IS PART OF THE WASHINGTON GLOBAL HEALTH ALLIANCE MAPPING PROJECT THAT TRACKS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE'S GLOBAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND FOSTERS COLLABORATION BETWEEN THEM. IN 2011, CHILDREN'S COLLABORATED WITH 70 GLOBAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING 32 INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS. WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 16 COUNTRIES SUCH AS EGYPT, PAKISTAN, INDIA, BRAZIL AND MALAYSIA. DR. LISA FRENKEL AND HER COLLABORATORS AT CHILDREN'S ARE WORKING WITH INVESTIGATORS IN AFRICA, ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF HIV-INFECTED PERSONS AND TO PREVENT MOTHER-TO-INFANT TRANSMISSION OF HIV. THEIR GOALS INCLUDE DEVELOPING AN INEXPENSIVE TEST TO DETECT WHETHER HIV-INFECTED MOTHERS ARE RESISTANT TO A COMMON ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY. FOCUS ON OBESITY: DO NEIGHBORHOODS AFFECT FITNESS? CHILDREN'S AND THE UW ARE STUDYING THE LINK BETWEEN A PERSON'S ACTIVITY LEVEL AND WHERE THEY LIVE. PARTICIPANTS IN THE TRAVEL ASSESSMENT AND COMMUNITY (TRAC) PROJECT, LED BY DR. BRIAN SAELENS, WILL COMPLETE SURVEYS ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS (SIDEWALKS, BIKE PATHS, BUS SERVICE, ETC.), WEAR AN ACTIVITY METER AND RECORD THEIR MODES OF TRAVEL. THE INFORMATION WILL SHOW HOW NEIGHBORHOODS COULD BECOME HEALTHIER PLACES BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION CHOICES THAT HELP PEOPLE STAY ACTIVE. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SEATTLE CHILDREN'S IS A PLACE WHERE HEALING AND TEACHING GO HAND-IN-HAND. AS HOME TO THE ONLY PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN A FIVE-STATE REGION, WE HELP YOUNG DOCTORS IN TRAINING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON GAIN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE CARING FOR SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN WHILE WORKING BESIDE WORLD-CLASS SPECIALISTS. WITH PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS IN SHORT SUPPLY NATIONWIDE, CHILDREN'S IS A VITAL TRAINING GROUND FOR BOTH THE PEDIATRICIANS AND THE SPECIALISTS NEEDED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN. WE'RE ALSO AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY. ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS SPEND TIME WORKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE ACCESS TO CARE CAN BE LIMITED. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION FOR COMMUNITY CLINICIANS AND OFFER PROGRAMS THAT TEACH PARENTS HOW TO BE PARTNERS IN THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE. TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION EDUCATING THE NEW CLINICIANS CHILDREN'S TRAINS TOP-NOTCH PEDIATRICIANS. WE RAISE THE LEVEL OF CARE FOR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE AND ESPECIALLY IN OUR COMMUNITY. MORE THAN HALF OF ALL GRADUATES OF THE UW PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM, WHICH IS BASED AT CHILDREN'S, CHOOSE TO STAY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO PRACTICE AS PRIMARY CARE AND SUB-SPECIALTY PEDIATRICIANS. THE UW PROGRAM IS THE ONLY PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, WYOMING, ALASKA, MONTANA AND IDAHO (WWAMI REGION). IN 2011, 776 RESIDENTS FROM TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWEST ROTATED AT CHILDREN'S. BECAUSE WE OFFER FELLOWSHIPS IN MORE THAN 30 SPECIALTY AREAS, MANY RESIDENTS CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AT CHILDREN'S. IN JUNE 2011, 27 PHYSICIANS COMPLETED PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY (AND 1 COMPLETED PRELIMINARY TRAINING) BEFORE ENTERING INTO SUB-SPECIALTY FELLOWSHIPS AT CHILDREN'S. IN ADDITION, CHILDREN'S WAS A TRAINING SITE FOR 787 MEDICAL STUDENTS. SUPPORTING NURSING EDUCATION CHILDREN'S SUPPORTS THE EDUCATION OF NURSES AT ALL STAGES. WE HOST A FREE NURSING CAMP EVERY SUMMER WHERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHADOW FOUR DIFFERENT NURSES OVER THREE DAYS. IN 2011, 27 STUDENTS INTERACTED WITH PATIENTS, WATCHED SURGERIES AND PARTICIPATED IN PANEL DISCUSSIONS AS THEY EXPLORED WHETHER A NURSING CAREER IS RIGHT FOR THEM. NURSES-IN-TRAINING COME TO CHILDREN'S FOR CLINICAL ROTATIONS WHERE THEY WORK ALONGSIDE OUR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED NURSING STAFF TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARING FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS. WE OFFER CLINICAL PRECEPTORSHIPS TO NURSING STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS, FROM BACCALAUREATE TO DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. CHILDREN'S NURSES SERVE AS INVITED LECTURERS AT NURSING PROGRAMS ACROSS THE REGION. WE ALSO HELP EDUCATE STUDENT NURSES AT OTHER HOSPITALS THROUGH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS. PEDIATRIC NURSING GROUND ROUNDS PROVIDE COMMUNITY NURSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT PEDIATRIC NURSING AND DIFFERENT HEALTH CONDITIONS. THE PRESENTATIONS TAKE PLACE NINE TIMES A YEAR AT CHILDREN'S AND ARE BROADCAST TO 47 SITES AROUND THE REGION AND ARCHIVED ONLINE. IN ADDITION, CHILDREN'S COLLABORATES WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO SPONSOR AN ANNUAL TELECONFERENCE BROADCAST TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES ACROSS THE STATE. IN 2011, THE TELECONFERENCE FOCUSED ON PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGICAL CASE REVIEWS. EDUCATING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS HELPING RESEARCHERS COMMUNICATE CLEARLY PATIENTS MUST GIVE THEIR INFORMED CONSENT BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN RESEARCH. BUT THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT SINCE MANY CONSENT FORMS ARE FULL OF MEDICAL JARGON AND EXCEED THE READING LEVEL OF MANY ADULTS. A NEW ONLINE COURSE, FREE AND AVAILABLE TO ANY RESEARCHER, SHOWS HOW TO USE PLAIN LANGUAGE IN INFORMED CONSENT FORMS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS SO THAT STUDY PARTICIPANTS CAN UNDERSTAND THESE DOCUMENTS. THE COURSE USES CONCRETE EXAMPLES TO HELP RESEARCHERS TRANSITION FROM WRITING FOR ACADEMIC JOURNALS TO WRITING FOR THE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. THE COURSE WAS DEVELOPED BY THE GROUP HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND THE INSTITUTE FOR TRANSLATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES, A PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING CHILDREN'S, THE UW, FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER AND OTHERS. PROVIDING A WAY TO TEST FOR TEEN DEPRESSION DEPRESSION IS COMMON IN TEENAGERS, BUT PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS HAVE LACKED A RELIABLE WAY TO SCREEN FOR IT - UNTIL NOW. DR. LAURA RICHARDSON AND COLLEAGUES AT CHILDREN'S, THE UW AND GROUP HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE DETERMINED THAT A QUESTIONNAIRE COMMONLY USED TO SCREEN ADULTS FOR DEPRESSION ALSO WORKS WELL WITH TEENS. THE FINDINGS WERE BASED ON A STUDY OF 442 TEENS 13 TO 17 YEARS OLD. THE SCREENING TOOL - KNOWN AS THE PHQ-9 - IS EASY TO SCORE AND INTERPRET AND FREELY AVAILABLE ONLINE. | ||
| SHARING EXPERTISE ABOUT KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HELPING CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES GROW UP TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IS A TEAM EFFORT THAT INVOLVES THEIR FAMILIES AND NUMEROUS MEDICAL SPECIALISTS. SINCE 1977, CHILDREN'S HAS HOSTED THE ANNUAL DUNCAN SEMINAR, AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE WHERE HOSPITAL STAFF AND FACULTY, COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES COME TO LEARN NEW SKILLS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES. "WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO DEVELOP HAPPY, PRODUCTIVE ADULTS, AND OUR GOAL IS FOR NO ONE TO FALL SHORT, WHILE BEING REALISTIC ABOUT EACH INDIVIDUAL'S CIRCUMSTANCE," SAYS DR. JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, WHO OVERSEES THE DUNCAN SEMINAR. IN 2011, THE EVENT (ATTENDED BY 126 PEOPLE) FOCUSED ON THE UNIQUE COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGES FACED BY CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, WHO OFTEN MUST USE ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES AND EQUIPMENT TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: DR. KYLE YASUDA PASSION FOR ADVOCACY DRIVES PEDIATRICIAN DR. KYLE YASUDA HAS ANSWERED COUNTLESS QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS DURING HIS MANY YEARS AS A TEACHING PHYSICIAN, BUT WHEN THEY ASK WHY HE BECAME A PEDIATRICIAN, "IT'S BEEN TOO LONG. I CAN'T REMEMBER," HE LAUGHS. YASUDA IS CERTAIN, THOUGH, THAT HE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. "I LOVE BEING AN ADVOCATE AND WORKING WITH KIDS, DOCTORS AND THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE CHILD HEALTH." YASUDA, WHO COMPLETED HIS OWN RESIDENCY AT CHILDREN'S IN 1983, WORKS WITH CHILDREN'S RESIDENTS AS A STAFF PEDIATRICIAN AT HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER AND IN THE RESIDENCY'S COMMUNITY PEDIATRICS AND ADVOCACY PATHWAY. A HIGH POINT OF HIS CAREER CAME IN 2011 WHEN HE WAS ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS. IT'S ONE OF MANY LEADERSHIP ROLES HE'S PLAYED AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT PEDIATRIC HEALTH ISSUES - OFTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH CHILDREN'S. YASUDA'S ONGOING ADVOCACY AND HIS YEARS AS A PRACTICING PEDIATRICIAN MAKE HIM A COMPELLING ROLE MODEL. "THERE'S MORE TO MEDICINE THAN THE XS AND OS," HE SAYS. "I TRY TO SHARE WHAT THE HEART AND SOUL OF MEDICINE IS ALL ABOUT - UNDERSTANDING THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND BUILDING GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PATIENTS AND FAMILIES." FEATURE: BROADENING THE HORIZONS OF PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM OFFERS DIVERSE EXPERIENCES THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM AT CHILDREN'S IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE IN THE NATION. IN 2011, ALMOST HALF OF THE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THE COUNTRY PLANNING TO ENTER PEDIATRICS APPLIED FOR ONE OF THE 34 SPOTS IN CHILDREN'S PROGRAM. OUR NEW ALASKA TRACK, ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR, ADDS FOUR SPOTS FOR RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN PRIMARY CARE STARTING IN 2012. RESIDENTS ON THE ALASKA TRACK WILL SPEND EIGHT MONTHS IN SEATTLE AND FOUR MONTHS IN ALASKA DURING ALL THREE YEARS OF THEIR RESIDENCY. IN ALASKA, THEY'LL PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE TO THE GENERAL POPULATION AND AT SITES SERVING THE ALASKA NATIVE POPULATION. THE ALASKA TRACK JOINS EXISTING TRAINING PATHWAYS FOR RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY HEALTH, GLOBAL HEALTH AND RESEARCH. ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS SPEND TWO MONTHS WORKING WITH PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WWAMI REGION, INCLUDING BELLINGHAM, PORT ANGELES AND YAKIMA, WASH. AND SANDPOINT AND POCATELLO, IDAHO. RESIDENTS WHO GO TO YAKIMA, WASH., SPEND PART OF THEIR ROTATION AT THE YAKIMA VALLEY FARM WORKERS CLINIC IN NEARBY TOPPENISH. THE WWAMI ROTATION AND ALASKA TRACK GIVE RESIDENTS UNIQUE EXPERIENCES, PROVIDE ISOLATED COMMUNITIES BETTER ACCESS TO CARE AND POTENTIALLY LEAD YOUNG DOCTORS TO ESTABLISH PRACTICES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED MOST. FOCUS ON OBESITY: TRAINING RESIDENTS TO BUILD HEALTHY HABITS CHILDREN'S IS COLLABORATING WITH A GROUP OF CHILD CARE SITES AND PEDIATRIC CLINICS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OBESITY PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5. WE'RE TRAINING RESIDENTS WORKING IN CLINICS SO THEY CAN EDUCATE PARENTS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ABOUT KEEPING KIDS ACTIVE AND HEALTHY. WE'RE ALSO DEVELOPING MATERIALS THAT WILL GIVE PARENTS TIPS ON HELPING THEIR CHILDREN PLAY AND INFORMATION ABOUT LOW-COST ACTIVITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CHILDREN'S WORKS IN AND WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE TACKLE THE ROOT CAUSES OF ILLNESS AND INJURY, PROVIDE A VOICE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT ALWAYS HEARD, AND PROMOTE CHANGES THAT WILL LEAD TO HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES. TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS, WE STRIVE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, PROMOTE HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS WHERE THEY LIVE. ADDRESSING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES COMMUNICATING WITH VACCINE-HESITANT PARENTS MORE THAN 6% OF WASHINGTON PARENTS OPT OUT OF REQUIRED KINDERGARTEN VACCINATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN - THE HIGHEST RATE OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY. WHEN SOME PARENTS SKIP OR DELAY ROUTINE VACCINATIONS, IT PUTS THE COMMUNITY AT RISK OF OUTBREAKS. TO HELP VACCINE-HESITANT PARENTS MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION, CHILDREN'S JOINED GROUP HEALTH, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WITHIN REACH AND THE COMMUNITY PEDIATRIC FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON IN 2011 TO LAUNCH VAX NORTHWEST. VAX NORTHWEST WORKS WITH PARENTS OF VACCINATED CHILDREN TO SHARE INFORMATION ON IMMUNIZATION WITH OTHER PARENTS WHO MAY BE HESITANT TO VACCINATE THEIR CHILD. IT ALSO HAS DEVELOPED TOOLS TO HELP VACCINE PROVIDERS HAVE PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS WHO ARE HESITANT ABOUT IMMUNIZATION. THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF A NEW STATE LAW WHICH MANDATES THAT PARENTS WHO WANT TO OPT OUT MUST HAVE A VACCINE PROVIDER SIGN THE EXEMPTION FORM TO CONFIRM THEY'VE RECEIVED VACCINE BENEFIT AND RISK INFORMATION. VAX NORTHWEST IS STUDYING ITS TWO-PRONGED APPROACH OF WORKING WITH BOTH PARENTS AND PROVIDERS AND WILL SHARE WHAT IT LEARNS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND BEYOND. DELIVERING DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN STATEWIDE CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN BY A DENTIST AS SOON AS THEY HAVE TEETH, BUT THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUR STATE WHO GROW UP WITHOUT DENTAL CARE IS HEARTBREAKING. WHEN THE SMILEMOBILE ROLLS INTO A COMMUNITY, IT CAN BE THE FIRST TIME MANY CHILDREN SEE A DENTIST - AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE 18 YEARS OLD. THE SMILEMOBILE IS A 38-FOOT DENTAL CLINIC ON WHEELS SPONSORED BY CHILDREN'S AND THE WASHINGTON DENTAL SERVICE FOUNDATION THAT TRAVELS THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON PROVIDING DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES WITH LIMITED INCOMES. THE SMILEMOBILE HELPED 2,000 CHILDREN IN 2011 AND MORE THAN 25,000 CHILDREN SINCE HITTING THE ROAD IN 1995. THE MOBILE CLINIC PROVIDES EXAMS, PREVENTIVE CARE, FILLINGS AND MINOR ORAL SURGERY ON A SLIDING-FEE BASIS. THE SMILEMOBILE ADDRESSES A PRESSING NEED. TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN WASHINGTON ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY AS CHILDREN ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION TO HAVE DENTAL DECAY, ACCORDING TO THE DENTAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION. PREVENTING DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE MORE THAN 10% OF TEENS IN WASHINGTON USE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE TO GET HIGH, AND MORE THAN THREE OUT OF FIVE TEENS SAY PAIN RELIEVERS ARE EASY TO GET FROM A PARENT'S OR GRANDPARENT'S MEDICINE CABINET, ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. CHILDREN'S WORKS ON MANY FRONTS TO PREVENT ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE - INCLUDING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND US. OUR ADOLESCENT MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OFFERS SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT ECKSTEIN MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE'RE ALSO PART OF PREVENTION WORKS IN SEATTLE (WINS), A COMMUNITY COALITION FOCUSED ON FIGHTING ADOLESCENT DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN THE NORTHEAST SEATTLE COMMUNITY. SINCE 2006, PREVENTION WINS CONDUCTS PROGRAMS SERVING FAMILIES AT ECKSTEIN - INCLUDING MAILING A SERIES OF INFORMATIONAL POSTCARDS WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE GROWING DANGER OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE. THESE AND OTHER EFFORTS SEEM TO BE PAYING OFF. ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY, ALCOHOL USE RATES FOR 10TH AND 12TH GRADERS IN NATHAN HALE AND ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOLS (WHERE ECKSTEIN STUDENTS GO TO) DROPPED BY MORE THAN 10% FROM 2006 TO 2010. REACHING OUT TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM LEARNING THEIR CHILD HAS AUTISM IS AN EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSING PIECE OF NEWS FOR PARENTS TO RECEIVE. THEY'RE TOLD THEIR CHILD HAS A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER WITH AN UNKNOWN CAUSE, NO KNOWN CURE AND AN UNCERTAIN TREATMENT PATH. OUR AUTISM CENTER HELPS FAMILIES COPE BY OFFERING CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS. IN 2011, WE ADDED AN AUTISM BLOG. THE BLOG ENABLES AUTISM EXPERTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, SHARE THE LATEST NEWS AND OFFER PERSPECTIVE ON HOW TO RAISE A CHILD WITH AUTISM - EVERYTHING FROM HOW TO CHOOSE A SUMMER CAMP TO MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO KINDERGARTEN. ONE OUT OF EVERY 110 CHILDREN IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AND THERE'S A LONG LIST OF FAMILIES WAITING TO BE SEEN AT THE AUTISM CENTER. THE BLOG LETS US REACH MORE FAMILIES AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION THEY NEED. | ||
| PROTECTING INFANTS FROM ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA IN A TRAGIC PARALLEL TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN TREATING A RISING NUMBER OF INFANTS FOR ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA, ACCORDING TO A MULTI-SITE STUDY THAT INCLUDED CHILDREN'S. THE STUDY SHOWED THE NUMBER OF CASES OF ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA - ALSO KNOWN AS SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME - DOUBLED BETWEEN 2007 AND 2009. FRUSTRATION OVER A CRYING BABY IS THE MOST COMMON TRIGGER FOR CAREGIVERS INFLICTING ABUSIVE HEAD INJURIES IN INFANTS. THIS ALARMING TREND LED CHILDREN'S TO FORM THE ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA PREVENTION TASK FORCE, A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF PROFESSIONALS AND PARENTS OF VICTIMS WORKING TO PREVENT SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME. THE TASK FORCE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO 35,000 NEW FAMILIES TO RAISE AWARENESS THAT CRYING IS NORMAL AND CAREGIVERS SHOULD DEVELOP A PLAN TO COPE WITH THE POTENTIAL FRUSTRATION. THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ARE BASED ON THE PERIOD OF PURPLE CRYING EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM, DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER ON SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME. THE ACRONYM PURPLE DESCRIBES THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFANT'S CRYING AND REASSURES THEM THIS PERIOD WILL END. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT DWARFISM CHILDREN'S, THE PUGET SOUND CHAPTER OF LITTLE PEOPLE OF AMERICA (LPA) AND CAFFE LADRO ESPRESSO BAR AND BAKERY KICKED OFF NATIONAL DWARFISM MONTH WITH A "STAND TALL FOR LITTLE PEOPLE" CAMPAIGN. THROUGHOUT OCTOBER, CAFFE LADRO'S 13 LOCATIONS USED CUPS THAT SHRANK THE SIZE OF THEIR SIGNATURE "TALL MAN" LOGO, ADDED THE PHRASE "STAND TALL FOR LITTLE PEOPLE" AND DIRECTED COFFEE DRINKERS TO THE PUGET SOUND CHAPTER OF LPA WEBSITE - ALL TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ISSUES SURROUNDING DWARFISM OR SKELETAL DYSPLASIA. CHILDREN'S HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST SKELETAL DYSPLASIA CLINICS IN THE REGION AND CARES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WITH SKELETAL DYSPLASIA AND OTHER RARE BONE CONDITIONS. "WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE TO PATIENTS, AND TO ALSO SUPPORT THE BROADER DWARFISM COMMUNITY BY EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC," SAYS DR. MICHAEL GOLDBERG, WHO LEADS THE SKELETAL DYSPLASIA CLINIC. EDUCATING COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHARING INFORMATION THROUGH THE MEDIA CHILDREN'S IS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE USE ALL FORMS OF MEDIA TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND RESPOND TO QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. IN 2011, WE COLLABORATED WITH KUNS/UNIVISION TV TO PRODUCE A HALF-HOUR PROGRAM IN SPANISH ABOUT DIABETES. THE PROGRAM TOLD THE STORIES OF THREE LATINO PATIENTS AND EMPHASIZED THAT IT TAKES A TEAM - INCLUDING THE FAMILY - TO PROVIDE THE CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDED BY DIABETES PATIENTS. WE WORKED WITH KING-TV TO AIR 30 SHORT HEALTHLINK SEGMENTS ABOUT TYPICAL CHILDHOOD AND PARENTING CONCERNS, AS WELL AS TWO HOUR-LONG SPECIALS - ONE ABOUT TEEN HEALTH ISSUES AND ANOTHER ABOUT HOW STAFF, PATIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT THE HOSPITAL. WE PRODUCED FOUR ISSUES OF GOOD GROWING NEWSLETTER - DISTRIBUTED ONLINE AND THROUGH PARENTMAP MAGAZINE -AND SIX ISSUES OF MY GOOD GROWING, AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER PROVIDING CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY - AND HELP FAMILIES SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER FAMILIES - THROUGH BLOGS (TEENOLOGY 101, SEATTLE MAMA DOC, AUTISM), FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND YOUTUBE (WHERE WE'VE POSTED MORE THAN 300 VIDEOS). SUPPORTING TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER WITH THE MANY LIFE CHANGES TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS GO THROUGH, SUPPORT FROM PEERS IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHTING CANCER. TO HELP MEET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS, CHILDREN'S RELEASED A NEW VIDEO SERIES ON YOU TUBE CALLED "GOOD TIMES AND BALD TIMES." THE VIDEOS FEATURE SEVEN CANCER SURVIVALS FROM THE ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT (AYA) ONCOLOGY PROGRAM TALKING ABOUT THEIR CANCER EXPERIENCES IN CANDID GROUP DISCUSSIONS KNOWN AS TEEN TALKING CIRCLES (TTC). "USING THE TTC APPROACH FOR TEENS WITH CANCER IS NEW," SAYS LEAH KROON, A NURSE WITH THE AYA TEAM, "BUT IT'S A SAFE WAY FOR THEM TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND A GREAT PLATFORM FOR REACHING OTHER TEENS WITH CANCER." THE 12 VIDEOS ADDRESS TOPICS RANGING FROM DEALING WITH SCHOOL TO FERTILITY ISSUES SUCH AS SPERM BANKING AND EGG PRESERVATION. "IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER KNOW THERE ARE PEERS OUT THERE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH," SAYS DR. REBECCA JOHNSON, WHO LEADS THE AYA ONCOLOGY PROGRAM. PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: REGIONAL CARE COORDINATORS FINDING HEALING IN A BOWL OF MOOSE SOUP MEDICINE COMES IN MANY FORMS. AN ALASKA NATIVE BOY FOUND HEALING IN A BOWL OF MOOSE SOUP, THANKS TO KATHY SALMONSON, A REGIONAL CARE COORDINATOR FROM CHILDREN'S. THE BOY - WHO NEEDED A LIVER TRANSPLANT - CAME TO CHILDREN'S FROM A SMALL VILLAGE IN ALASKA. AS THE 12-YEAR-OLD RECUPERATED FROM SURGERY, HE WASN'T EATING MUCH. FOOD HERE WAS JUST TOO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE WAS USED TO BACK HOME. THE ONLY FOOD HE WANTED WAS MOOSE SOUP. WHEN SALMONSON LEARNED OF HIS REQUEST, SHE USED HER CONTACTS HERE AND IN ALASKA TO OBTAIN NATIVE INGREDIENTS FOR THE DISH. LOCAL ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS COOKED AND PREPARED FOOD TO BRING TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY. HE STARTED EATING AGAIN AFTER RECEIVING FOODS FROM HOME. CHILDREN'S IS THE PEDIATRIC REFERRAL CENTER FOR A FOURSTATE REGION, SO WE CARE FOR MANY CHILDREN LIKE THIS PATIENT WHO COME FROM SMALL AND DISTANT COMMUNITIES. OUR REGIONAL NURSE CARE COORDINATORS, SALMONSON WITH ALASKA AND MONTANA AND CATE FAIRHEAD WITH CENTRAL WASHINGTON, SERVE AS A LINK BETWEEN HOME AND HOSPITAL. THEIR MAIN JOB IS TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION, SYSTEM NAVIGATION, CARE COORDINATION AND DISCHARGE PLANNING BETWEEN CHILDREN'S AND CARE PROVIDERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION. AS PART OF COORDINATING FOLLOWUP CARE FOR DISCHARGED PATIENTS, SALMONSON AND FAIRHEAD PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES DURING THEIR STAY HERE. "IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN AND BE AWARE OF HOW FAR FROM HOME SOME FAMILIES ARE AND HOW SCARY THIS ALL IS," SALMONSON SAYS. "WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES DURING A DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES." FEATURE: FAMILIES FIND STRENGTH IN SUPPORT GROUPS WHEN LYNN VIGO JOINED CHILDREN'S FIVE YEARS AGO, SHE KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM LACKED OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAN ON AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER - BECAUSE HER DAUGHTER HAS AUTISM. "RAISING A CHILD WITH AUTISM CAN BE ISOLATING," VIGO SAYS. "PARENTS NEED A PLACE TO SHARE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES AND KNOW THEY'RE NOT ALONE, BUT THE DEMAND WASN'T BEING MET." NOW A FAMILY ADVOCATE WITH CHILDREN'S AUTISM CENTER, VIGO STARTED AUTISM LIVING LIFE & YOU (ALLY), A MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY AUTISM. ALLY IS NOW UP TO FOUR DIFFERENT GROUPS. CHILDREN'S ALSO SPONSORS SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ARTHROGRYPOSIS (A DEBILITATING CONTRACTION OF THE MUSCLES); PARENTS OF INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS WITH DIABETES; SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHILD'S DEATH. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE SPACE FOR NUMEROUS INDEPENDENT SUPPORT GROUPS TO MEET. FOCUS ON OBESITY: EVERYONE SWIMS SWIMMING IS A GOOD WAY TO GET THE EXERCISE NEEDED TO FIGHT OBESITY, AND KNOWING HOW TO SWIM HELPS PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DROWNING. IN 2011, CHILDREN'S WORKED WITH POOLS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON EVERYONE SWIMS, A PROGRAM TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SWIMMING AND WATER RECREATION FOR LOW-INCOME AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE FAMILIES. WE'RE WORKING WITH PARTNERS LIKE SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SWIMMING LESSONS AND MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF SWIMMING OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN SEATTLE'S CENTRAL DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, ODESSA BROWN CHILDREN'S CLINIC AND MEDGAR EVERS POOL WORK TOGETHER TO OFFER SWIM LESSONS FOR OBCC PATIENTS. |
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